How long do your restless legs go on for and when do they tend to happen?

I tend to get my legs bobbing the second I think about restless legs or when I'm in a particularly dull lecture and I daydream a bit. Just reading this is making my right leg wanting to start! I think mine is just a habit though.

Sometimes it can be stopped by lots of mental stimulation or standing up for a bit and finding something to do in the meantime.

If you can find a pattern with it, you should be able to control it. If not, maybe your gp could help - never thought of it myself.

Sorry to read about your restless legs!. I don't suffer with it myself but do know that it can be caused by magnesium deficiency!. You might like to try a supplement but get the OK with your other drugs first from a pharmacist!. Thinking about it they might be good to ask about restless legs than your GP. You certainly don't want to hear it's your illness every time!. It can feel very dismissive can't it?. Good luckX

Restless legs can really be depressing as it can impact your sleep. I've had it for years with it getting worse in the last year or so. My rheumatologist prescribed gaberpentine but I really didn't want to take any more drugs than I do all ready. However I have now got it under control mostly. Weathervane mentioned her sister who goes for a walk before bed & I can say it really works! Sitting still too long seems to set it off with me. I discovered this on holiday as we were walking back from restaurants and busy in the evenings. Before bed, I take a torch & walk around the garden as we live in a rural road & the garden is quite big. It really is quite magical sometimes too listening to the owls etc & watching the stars! Hope you find some relief

When I went to see the sleep specialist the other day about my poor sleep, half of the questions he asked related to restless legs - it's one of those symptoms that sleep physicians specialise in. Even though I don't have that problem at all (yet!). So if it is troubling you, it might well be worth asking your GP or rheumy for a referral to your local sleep clinic x

This is something I’ve struggled with the past few years. Mine always seemed worse on days that I exercised. My dr tried me on several meds, but I never liked the hungover feeling they left me with the next morning (even if they worked). Once I decided to change my diet and go gluten free, I’ve barely experienced restless legs at all.

Oh ok thank you . I’m going to monitor it and see how many times I get . This week I’ve had it 2 nights . I haven’t been doing a lot of moving just laying and sitting down . So I’m gonna see if carries on after I go back to work

I have wear and tear but often quite severly painful arthritis in the sacroiliac low back area and coccyx area too. When it is bad the restless legs become much worse. I get ultrasound treatment every month for the lower back from Physio and the restless legs magically improve.

I think with me the low back arthritis is triggering the restless legs that is why lying with a pillow under your knees would be better as it takes the pressure off the low lumbar area. A pillow at your feet would maybe increase pressure on lower back nerves and also make the legs worse.

No doubt the restless legs can have many causes. I also had it badly as a little child after the age of five when my back was fine then. I used to get up and run around the bedroom in the dark till I could crawl back into bed and sleep.

This sounds a little weird, but the best advice I've ever gotten is to drink 2-3 ounces of tonic water at bedtime, as needed. Stopped my restless legs every time. Be aware some people can be sensitive to the quinine in tonic water. So, as with everything, be mindful of how you react to it.

I suffer with it and have been on ropinirole for a few years but lately mine have gotten so bad I’m sleeping on the sofa with cushions galore stacked under my legs, just so hubby can get his sleep. I’m trying to get a gp appt so I can review my meds as I do t think the6 are working anymore xx

Oh you poor thing, this restless leg thing is so annoying, my legs “bubble” as well as jiggle about, I find they do it if I have not been very active and I get my husband to massage my legs for a while, which seems to help a bit. I’ve never mentioned it to my Gp as I’ve heard there is nothing to be done about it, but it might be worth you popping to see your GP, you never know. My biggest problem at the moment is the skin on my hands peeling off, I’m having to wear Surgeon type gloves when I bake or prepare food, no amount of hand cream makes any difference, anyone else have this problem? Best of luck LouLamb, Happy New Year to all.